Obsessing Over...

I must confess... I've been coveting bejeweled shoes. Perhaps it's the 1980s in me still craving a little glitz, but these Vera Wang shoes just send me.

Eye-balling the ballet flats. The pale hues with peep toes are divine...


They almost have a vintage feel to them, don't they? Love the faded pink snakeskin with sparking jewel clusters...

So, do I go with the peep toe or the closed toe?

This white is lovely, but not practical for San Francisco weather...

I couldn't decide which colors...they're all so beautiful. So I splurged a bit and ended up with the closed toe (above) in black. Just received them in the mail today and they're comfy as can be. Worth every costly penny. They match with everything and add that little bit of sparkle to a boring outfit!

Had to treat myself! Is there anything you're obsessing over?

images from Vera Wang Lavender Line via Nordstrom & Neiman Marcus

Missoni for Target FRENZY!

This morning I was perusing one of my favorite blogs and she mentioned the Missoni collection for Target launching today. The curious person that I am, of course I had to mosey over to Target's website to check it out. Well, the site was down. See above photo. Target, down? That's big.


Turns out that there was quite a frenzy and everything sold out! Even Twitter (above) is going mad!

Look at this shopper (above) from New England with a full cart. She was reported screaming, hoarding and pushing! Does she really need dozens of zig zag dresses for her wardrobe?

Glad that frenzy shopping is still alive and well in the USA.


images from here

Your Opinion, please...

Just received Restoration Hardware's Fall source book. Other than weighing a ton, what do you think? Would love to hear your thoughts...

New Haunts!

Side, Berkeley

This past weekend I took a ride to the East Bay for a most relaxing facial, but not before visiting a couple of new shops that I wanted to share with you.



First stop was to the charming shop, Side, in Berkeley. This young shop (opened about a year ago) is filled with everything from furniture and silverware, to mirrors and gift items. Owner Carolyn, who is simply a delight, is truly enthusiastic about vintage items and it shows with her array of lovely items for sale.



Carolyn rescues pieces of furniture she acquires and painstakingly restores and paints them to give them a refreshing new look. Many of these pieces are damaged and have seen better days, but with Carolyn's touch they come alive again.

Next stop...hold on to your seat!!!

The Little Shop of Hoarders, Oakland

Do you all know Terri at La Dolfina? Well, this past week Terri blogged about the opening of her new shop, The Little Shop of Hoarders in Oakland, California. I could hardly wait to see it!



Terri has partnered up with legendary antiques aficionado, Ron Morgan, and two others, offering a large space brimming with vintage curiosities.





It was fun to see Terri and meet her husband, as well as Ron and his partner. What a beautiful space they have created! You won't want to miss it if you're in the Bay Area.

Congrats Terri, Ron, & Carolyn on your lovely shops!

If you're looking for a fun day of antiquing, be sure and visit both of these shops!

Side

2363 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA

Little Shop of Hoarders

6395 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA

images courtesy of Side and Little Shop of Hoarders

Passionately Pink!

I don't know about you, but I can never tire of pink. When I came across this vintage pink satin upholstered bed, I just had to have it.



The wooden bed frame is the original pale sage finish, with rose and gilt highlights and beautiful hand-painted roses and daisies at crest of headboard and foot board. It even has brass tacks *sigh*



Unfortunately, I have no space for it, so it's available to purchase at my boutique here.

Cheers to my favorite, pink!

images from here and here

"Props" to Pottery Barn

Have you ever noticed the interesting antique props in various home catalogs? Many of them are rented from antique shops/dealers. Well, a customer pointed out to me that our antique glass 'Trust' sign is in the August Pottery Barn catalog on page 32. It was one of the items that Pottery Barn rented.

See it there in the cabinet?

The trust sign still available for purchase at Paris Hotel Boutique, here.

Times are a Changin'

A few days ago the beautiful 3-story Border's Books in downtown San Francisco closed its doors. Another one bites the dust.

I've been so distraught thinking about how much life is rapidly changing and how the internet has affected us in both a good and bad way.

Of course, I make my living with an online shop, but there is something about "mom & pop" shops that nothing can replace. I miss the old days.

Do you remember these?

Or these?

I remember in 1981 when the first little local video rental shop opened. We'd pay $20 to rent a VCR for the weekend along with some VHS tapes. It was so exciting! Now to think that just 30 years later, most of us have lived to see that come and go.

Remember the fun spending hours browsing through a record store? Piling up your stack of 45's or LP's and standing in line. Now with iTunes, there's not even any need for your CD's. And all the record stores...gone.

So, where am I going with this? I don't really know. It's just so depressing to watch things change like this. And I'm saddened to watch "out of business" signs in every town you visit. People are struggling.

I am guilty of purchasing books at Amazon at a discounted price. Perhaps I'm one of the culprits that contributed to book stores filing chapter 11. But, we may not even have books in the future. Reading will probably be online and I'll still be scouting around to find "real books." No wonder so many folks are unemployed...

Tell me, how do you feel about the possibility of no print media? newspapers? books? magazines?

What would you miss most if it was replaced by the internet? Do you think that local 'mom and pops' such as shoe or jewelry repair shops will become extinct?

Am I just having a "feeling-old-at-fifty" moment or do you feel the same?

Royal Inspiration

As we prepare for the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate, I thought I'd devote this week to The Royals.

I just love the British-inspired line by the talented Laura Tarrish. Laura began her career as a graphic designer and some years later became inspired by collage-based illustration. Some of her clients include Apple Computer, The Boston Globe and Travel & Leisure. She even designed the retirement card for news anchor, Tom Brokaw!

The 'Royals' Card' (above)

Bridgetown Papers showcases Laura's amazing work which includes wrapping paper, note cards, photo frames, custom invitations and more. Pure eye-candy.

For her custom work she uses her client’s memorabilia, providing a wish list for them after a conversation about their project, and augments with imagery she researches or finds in her archives.

'Kings & Queens' collection (above) includes wrapping paper, notebooks, folders, bookmarks and more.

Laura's an avid collector of vintage maps, postcards, old travel guides, ticket stubs and more. You can see these wonderful vintage objects in her work.

Take for instance this design made from objects she collected while living in London. Isn't it fabulous?

English file folders

There is so, so much more to share about Laura's amazing work. You should see her Paris series!

You must visit her site Bridgetown Papers to view all of her work, and then mosey on over to Felt & Wire Shop to purchase her available retail goods. It's truly spectacular!

Thanks Laura for the wonderful inspiration. I LOVE my goodies!

Oddities...

Has anyone been watching the show Oddities on the Discovery Channel? If you like the weird and wonderful, you must tune in!

The show centers around the wonderful shop, Obscura Antiques & Oddities in New York City's East Village. I was fortunate enough to visit there a couple of years ago and was amazed at the layers of unusual and curious items they had to offer. I even found a couple of treasures for myself.

On the show Mike & Ryan, the proprietors of Obscura, visit shops, auctions, antique shows and estate sales to seek out one-of-a-kind pieces. Everything from bizarre medical instruments and taxidermy, to Victorian hair jewelry and shrunken heads!

What a fun show to watch! I just want to jump through the screen and shop with them. The second season just started yesterday, but the Discovery Channel reruns many of the episodes. Tune in and let me know what you think!

And, if you don't get the show on your TV, be sure and visit their website here and you can watch clips of it online!

Wishing you a great week ahead!

images from here

So Precious!

I stumbled upon this sweet photo on Pinterest, which led me to DreamSpun, an adorable shop on Etsy.

Ada at DreamSpun offers playful clothing like these ruffled pettiskirts, all with handpicked fabrics and trims. Great for your children, grandchildren, nieces, friends kids! They even carry adult pettiskirts -- if you dare!

Visit DreamSpun here...

Grande PRIZE.

Where can you find rare vintage Chanel posters & timeless accessories? How about glistening antique chandeliers from the Paris Flea Market? Or perhaps, an array of delectable candy from all over the world?

No need to stop anywhere else. PRIZE in Ashland, Oregon has all that and so much more! Take a look...




From classic jewelry to home furnishings, PRIZE is full of all sorts of wonder. And I'm not saying this just because the owner is a dear friend.

You must take a visit if you're in the charming Ashland area!

PRIZE
264 East Main Street
Ashland, Oregon 97520
(541) 482-0345

PHB Sale on One Kings Lane!

I'm honored (and so excited!) to be part of One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale beginning this evening. It's been in the works for a while now and I'm thrilled to finally share it with you!

If you're new to One Kings Lane, OKL partners with top brands and designers to give their members insider access to designer décor, fantastic gift selections, and exclusive tag sales curated by today's top tastemakers - at up to 70% off retail.

Paris Hotel Boutique will have major markdowns of items so please do check it out. This three day event starts tonight at 6pm PST / 9pm EST. You must be a member of One Kings Lane to access the sale. And...membership is free!

Click here to join One Kings Lane &

Click here to shop our sale!

Every Picture Tells a Story, Don't It?

Back in April of 2009 I blogged a few of my Favorite Things... which included an image of a trophy given to "The Parisian Cloak Company," in Kansas City for best dressed store window during the United Fashion Show in 1915.

Recently I was contacted by Joe Boeckholt. Joe stumbled upon my trophy photo and gave me some interesting history on it. Harzfeld's specialty store of Kansas City was originally known as the Parisian Cloak Company and was started in 1890. Small world, eh?

Last year Joe and Michele authored a book on Harzfeld's. The Boeckholts uncover the story behind Harzfeld's specialty store, from its first offering of coats, blouses, petticoats and furs to the beloved Petticoat Lane flagship location and regional network of satellite stores.

If you're interested in Kansas City history, this is a great read. You can purchase it here and visit Joe & Michele's blog here.

Thanks Joe & Michele for my copy of this book!

A Favorite Shop: Tail of the Yak

It's holiday-time at Tail of the Yak, one of my absolute favorite shops in the Bay Area. The other day my friend Lisa and I took a little ride over to Berkeley to see the seasonal magic at this most charming shop.

You've probably heard me talk about Tail of the Yak before, but I'll say it again. Magic. Owners Alice, Lauren and staff do an amazing job of creating a space that makes you feel as if you've left the world behind. From paper-adorned antique Santos statues to vintage ribbons and amazing estate jewelry, this is wonderland at its finest.

What are these you may be asking? They are "surprise balls." That's right. Artist Anandamayi Arnold has been making various "surprise balls" for the shop for many years. I've seen everything from fruits to lumps of coal.

I look forward to every Christmas to see the newest creations by Anandamayi. This years' florals just knocked my socks off! The surprises are in the bulbs of the flowers.

Surprise balls are wound tightly, like a ball of wool, around their sometimes lumpy contents. Anandamayi starts with a streamer and adds little prizes as she builds the ball. The only problem is it's too pretty, who wants to open it?

Surprise balls run about $18 to around $95, depending on the amount of work involved.

Love this chocolate ribbon...

vignettes of charming ornaments grace the shop...

This is just a very small area of the large jewelry case that graces the shop. Everything is so specially selected and each piece is extraordinary. I could gaze through the case for hours...

curiosities abound such as these figural-shaped graphite pencils...

AND, during the holidays a special annual tradition at Tail of the Yak are custom-designed poster-size calendars by co-owner, Lauren McIntosh. If you make a purchase you get one of these treats! I still have many of my old ones from years back. They are truly works of art.

If you happen to be in the Bay Area, you must visit this charming store. My photos just don't do it justice!

Tail of the Yak
2632 Ashby Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
510.841.9891